Estrogen is the name given to an important group of compounds that affect the growth and function of tissues throughout the body, including the tissues responsible for reproduction. It plays a significant role in maintaining cardiovascular function, helps keep our bones healthy, and has a strong influence over our mood and behavior. In other words, both men and women need estrogen in appropriate levels to maintain optimum health. Unfortunately, most of us live in a…
According to an article published on the Genetics Home Reference website, an estimated 65 percent of the world’s population has difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in animal milk, after infancy. While people of East Asian descent are the most likely to suffer from lactose intolerance, it also affects large populations of the United States and Europe. Shortly after consuming animal milk, these individuals often suffer from a host of unpleasant symptoms ranging from abdominal…
As word continues to spread about the damaging health effects of refined sugar, the number of commercially available sugar alternatives has also increased. Unfortunately, many sugar alternatives can be just as undesirable as sugar itself. Saccharin and acesulfame K, for example, are unnatural products whose long-term effects on the human body remain unknown. High fructose agave syrup is proven to cause havoc with our blood sugar levels. And aspartame, of course, needs no introduction. One…
Many experts consider depression to be one of the biggest public health concerns of the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization, depression, which is characterized by a persistent state of pessimism and inactivity, is the leading cause of disability worldwide and a significant contributor to disease. Moreover, it is on the increase. An estimated 350 million people suffer from depression globally, and that number isn’t shrinking. Though the roots of depression are often…
Varicose veins are swollen or enlarged veins that occur when our valves become weak or damaged, causing blood to accumulate in them. Though varicose veins can occur in any part of our body, they are most common in the legs and thighs of aging or obese women, as well as in adults who stand up for long periods of time. Varicose veins tend to be surface veins rather than deep veins, so they are seldom…
